James d



NITED STATES i PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES D. MCKEE, OF WOOSTER, OHIO.

WIRE-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 503,613, dated August 22, 1893.

Application filed J une 26, 1893. Serial No. 478,875. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMES D. MOKEE, a citi- .zen of the United States, residing at Wooster, 1n the county of Wayne and State of Ohio, have invented a new and useful Wire- Stretcher, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to improvements in wire stretchers. The object of thepresent invention is to improve the construction of wire stretchers, and to provide a simple and inexpensive one by which fence Wires may be readily tightened and easily maintained at the desired tension, and which will allow for the expansion and contraction due to heat and cold to prevent wires breaking in winter and becoming loose in summer.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings-Figure lis a perspective view of a portion of a fence provided with a wire stretcher constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a detail perspective view of the combined stop and wrench.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in both the figures of the drawings.

1 designates an end post of a fence, supported by braces 2, and provided with a vertical series of perforations 3, through which extend fence-wires 4, which are secured to a vertical shaft 5, journaled in bearings 6, of the post 1. The vertical shaft is provided with a series of perforations to receive the fence-wires and to enable the latter to be secured to it, and it has its upper end 7 squared, or of other polygonal shape, and extended slightly above the post 1 and engaged by a combined wrench and holder 8, which secures the vertical shaft against turning and which obviates the necessity of employing a ratchet for this purpose.

The combined wrench and holder is provided at one end with a recess 9, conforming to the configuration of and adapted to fit on the upper end of the vertical shaft; and it is provided at one side with a straight edge 10,

which is adapted to fit against the adjacent face of the fence post to prevent the vertical shaft from turning and to secure the wires at any desired tension. The combined wrench and holder is cut away at its outer side and is provided with an extension or handle portion 11, and it is adapted, when it is desired to vary the tension of the wires, to be disengaged from the post and to be arranged above the same and to be turned, serving as a wrench for winding the shaft. After the latter has been tightened or turned to the desired extent, the combined wrench and holder is moved downward on the polygonal portion of the shaft and is engaged with the fence post, as shown.

The fence wires are provided with compensating springs 12, which have oppositely-disposed loops 13, arranged within them and secured to their ends and connected to the adjacent ends of the fence wires.

The bearings 6 are provided with lateral extensions through which pass securing devices for fastening them to the fence post.

It will be seen that the wire stretcher is simple and comparatively inexpensive in construction, and that the vertical shaft for winding the fence wires may be readily turned to the desired extent and firmly secured against turning after the fence Wires have been adj usted to the desired tension.

Changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

1. In a wire stretcher, the combination of a fence post provided with bearings, a vertical winding shaft journaled in the bearings and having a polygonal upper portion extended above the fence post, and a combined wrench and holder provided with a recess receiving the upper end of the shaft, and adapted to engage the post to prevent the shaft from turning and to be arranged above the plane of the post to turn the shaft, substantially as described.

2. In a wire stretcher, the combination of a fence post provided with bearings, a vertical shaft journaled in the bearings and having IOO an upper polygonal end extended above the In testimony that I claim the foregoing as posta, and a detachable combined wrench and my own I have hereto aixed nry signature in holder provided with a recess receiving the the presence of Icwo Witnesses.

upper end of the shaft and having at its inner JAMES D. MCKEE. 5 side a. straight edge to t against the post and Witnesses:

being extended substantially as and for the i HIRAM B. SWARTZ,'

SAi'vIUlLL D. CGULTER.

purpose described. 

